Discover
Tomie DePaola
A WebQuest for Kindergarten Students
Designed by
Cortney Fillion (cfillion@zoo.uvm.edu)
Katie Boulanger (kboulang@zoo.uvm.edu)
Introduction
Your classroom teacher has just finished reading you one of Tomie DePaola’s books called, The Art Lesson. This book was about a little boy named Tomie who loved to draw pictures. This little boy is actually the author writing about himself when he was younger. Tomie DePaola is best known for writing and illustrating children’s books. Tomie was born on September 15, 1934 in Meriden, Connecticut, and has been published for over 30 years. Over five million copies of his books have been sold worldwide and he has received numerous awards, including the Caldecott Honor Award, and the Newbury Honor Award. What makes Tomie DePaola’s work so unique is that in his writing he reflects on the real life experiences he had while growing up. All of the characters and family members in his books are real people and likes to incorporate his Itailian and Irish heritage into his books. At the age of four Tomie announced, “I am going to be an artist when I grow up, and write stories and draw pictures for books.” Its important to remember that Tomie was once a kindergartener just like you. Now that Tomie is grown up he still loves to draw pictures for children. Here are some other things that Tomie lovesFavorite color: WhiteFavorite food: PopcornFavorite holiday: ChristmasFavorite activities: Shopping and readingTomie also has three dogs that he loves to spend time with. If you would like to read other stories related to Tomie’s life, check out these books:
-Nana Upstairs Nana Downstairs
-Watch out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup
-Now one Foot, Now the Other
-Tom
-Baby Sister
Go to this website to check out more of Tomie DePaola’s books: http://www.aabra.com/Tomie%20DePaola.htm
The Task
Your task is to use some
art supplies that Tomie uses to create a beautiful picture that you can be
proud of. Think about what kinds of
pictures you like to draw and what activities you like to do when drawing your
picture.
The
Process
1.
Look through the book The Art Lesson again and concentrate on the
pictures that Tomie drew.
2.
Think about the things that you like to do and are good at. Are there any special talents that you
have? What do you want to be when you
grow up?
3.
What is an artist? What do they do?
4.
Would you like to be an artist like Tomie when you grow up? Try to be an artist and draw a picture like
Tomie.
5.
Take a piece of paper and think about some materials that you might want to
use. Unlike in the art lesson you may
use other things to create your work of art.
In the box provided by your teacher, you will be able to use crayons,
markers, chalk, watercolors, colored pencils, or craypahs. You may also create more than one picture if
you wish!
6. Remember to use your imagination just like Tomie
does when he creates all of his pictures!
7. Have fun!
Evaluation
|
|
Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|
Standard 1.3 Students read for meaning, demonstrating both the initial understanding and personal response to what is read. |
Students do not understand what is read. |
Students have some ability to understand to what is read. |
Students understand what is read and are able to make a personal response. |
Students understand what is read, make a personal connection, and offer further information. |
|
|
Standard 1.16 Students use a variety or forms such as dance, music, theater, and visual arts to create projects that are appropriate. |
Students do not use an appropriate variety of materials to create projects. |
Students begin to use some forms of visual arts to create projects. |
Students use adequate variety of materials to create projects. |
Students use all forms of media to create projects. |
|
|
Standard 1.18 Students use computers, telecommunications, and other tools of technology to research, to gather information and ideas and to represent information and ideas accurately and appropriately. |
Students do not use computers correctly or accurately. |
Students use computers accurately and appropriately most of the time. |
Students use computers accurately and appropriate. |
Students use computers accurately, appropriately, and extend ideas further. |
|
|
Standard 1.14 Students critique what they have heard by observing, describing, extending, interpreting and making connections. |
Students do not critique what they have heard. |
Students critique what they have heard, but do not make connections. |
Students critique what they have heard and make connections. |
Students are able to critique what they have heard, make connections, and extend information further. |
|
Conclusion
By doing this webquest on Tomie DePaola the children will have been read the story, The Art Lesson, by their classroom teacher and learned a lot about Tomie’s life and work as an author. They will learn about some of Tomie’s favorite things, and have a chance to think about their favorite things to do and what they are good at. They will use their creativity to make a beautiful picture using many art supplies and will use Tomie’s book as a guide. They will discuss what an artist is and what Tomie books are about. This webquest will encourage an interest in reading, enhances the creativity with art activities, and connects the children with the work of a real author. The children will be able to make parallels between their life and Tomie DePaola’s and discuss their dreams and aspirations.
Credits & References
www.wilburnes.wcpss.net/authorstudy/author.html
Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page